We are four friends -- actually two friends in our 30s and our two moms in their mid-60s -- traveling to Rome in December. It is not a first-time trip for any of us, but I think it's just a second visit for the moms.

I am considering these two apartments. What does the Fodor's peanut gallery think?

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_paradisobig.html

7 nights for around 1600 Euros.

http://www.rentalinrome.com/bramante/bramante.htm

7 nights for 1996 Euros.

We also liked the Vacche Attico from sleepinitaly but it wasn't available.

I have stayed by the Campo before but only on quiet streets shooting off from it. Once on via dei Cappellari and once on via del Pellegrino. I don't know about sleeping between the Campo and the Corso--too loud?

All thoughts, advice and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

1. Re apt # 1 and proximity to Corso V. Emmanuele - It will not be noisy.

Note too that in that location you have the supermarket in v. Monte della Farina plus 1 or 2 other supermarkets in the Corso itself....

There's one of those chains called "Due per Due" or "Due piu" or sthg dumb like that....Very nice merchandise.

2. I think the second one looks funky and fun.

3. If you want to stay in the Navona/ Pantheon/ C. de' Fiori area, why not check out one of these 2 bdrm apartments -- same price range and way posher, IMO:

http://romeapartmentsllc.com/index.php

I have not (yet) stayed in these apts -- just saw them advertised on a site for Princeton alumni and took note.

Ted, thanks for the input, especially about supermarkets.

I had seen those posh apartments before, but they are just a shade above what "the daughters" (I!) want to spend. It is my mother who dislikes tatty; I *love* tatty...and funky and fun, etc. Trying to make sure everyone is reasonably satisfied.

ttt

These are both in a good location. The first (two flights) has no elevator, and the second (three flights) doesn't say either way. Does anyone mind two or three flights of stairs? And in those old buildings, sometimes each flight is more stairs than you anticipate, just in case that's a problem for anyone in your group.

I have found that when the ad doesn't mention a lift, that usually means there isnt one. But I always write and ask questions about any apartment I'm thinking of renting.

We stayed in the apartment right beside paradisobig last July(same owners). We loved the location-it is very central to everything. The apartment suited our family of 4 just fine & we had no complaints.When we booked, I believe the owners were still living in paradisobig so it wasn't available to rent- had it been, I definitely would have booked it just for the extra space & bathroom. We met the family staying in paradisobig & they were very happy with their accomodation.I can't remember if there was 2 or 3 flights of stairs but it was not a problem. We didn't find it loud at all.

Thanks for the input. I think they are both good choices (no knee problems, hip problems, etc. in the group currently). It's just hard to make a decision.

I am leaning toward the Bramante because, although the beds are not twins, there appears to be more room in the apartment to get away from each other and breathe. The Paradiso is awfully tempting, though.

samk, is there a restaurant right below the apartments? I vaguely remember there being something there from previous visits to Rome.

The Paradiso has been dropped--just a tiny bit "too downscale" according to the moms, although I think they are nuts.

Favorites are the Bramante penthouse (link above). My reluctance with this is a lack of reviews on the particular apartment and some mixed reviews on Rentalinrome.

I've also unearthed this one from the owner, Sforza 1, 1600 Euros for 8 nights booked through the owner.
http://www.holiday-rentals-worldwide...ngs/l0147.html

There are more photos on homeway.com, listing 96195. For some reason my computer is being funny with that link.

Stairs, at this point, are not an issue as long as we are not above floor 4 (American).

Any opinions?

This is just a sidebar RE Bramante:
1. That area is just about the most atmospheric in Rome! The Bramante cloister has a pricey little upstairs cafe of great chic(with "free Wifi" that never worked with our laptop). And my favourite restaurants are all around.

2. You could see P.zza Navona on Day 1 and ignore its gruesome crowds thereafter: Just wander westward from that location and you'll have a great holiday.

BTW 3. that apartment looks pretty funky. Expect some surprises.

4. But it's large -- space and views compensate for other failings, IMO.

tedgale,
Hah-coincidentally just faxed the contract for Bramante on my way home from work this evening. I did contact a Fodorite who has stayed there and she allayed some of my fears. She said it's not tatty and that the photos are accurate, and perhaps make it look less nice than it is.

We shall see. In any case, good views and enough space to really get away from each other if we need to. I hope the surprises aren't too unpleasant--they shouldn't be if I ply the moms with enough wine.

The lady who rents the place from homeaway.com on Sforza Cesarini was very nice and if it weren't for the two moms coming along I would have snapped that right up. 1600 for 8 nights with 2bd/2ba! I'll have to go back with my sister, brother-in-law and niece.

Thanks to you and all for the tips and opinions.

Leely:
If I'm reading correctly you went with the Rental in Rome apartment? It looks great.

Please don't take this as discouragement (it's not!), but we had an unpleasant experience with Rental in Rome. The agency was fine, our dealings with them were satisfactory. But our apartment (Rondanini) was not clean at all.

Let me offer a suggestion. We met the landlord (not the agency) upon arrival to get the key and settle up full payment. I presume you will do the same. At a glance, all looked fine. But the shower was not fine. And most of the dishes in the kitchen had been put away dirty (!). Those aren't the kinds of things you would notice at first. So my suggestion is: really inspect the place before you hand over all the money.

Like I said, don't be discouraged. We will rent apartments again and I would even rent from them. But I will tell them in advance that we will do a careful pre-inspection this time. If we're not satisfied, we will withhold some euros until it's cleaned. It's worth a try. You might want to do the same.

Thanks for the tip, Jeanne. I would not have thought to inspect things that closely. I suppose I have been very lucky renting in the past.

Actually, I should have emphasized the "pre-notice" over the inspection.

Tell the agency &quot;your friend&quot; had a bad experience so <b>they should inform the landlord</b> you will be doing a thorough inspection. If my strategy works, this will make the landlord more cognizant and ensure the apt is clean when you arrive.

If they want to know who the friend is email me at jeannebab-AT-comcast-DOT-net.

Leely,

I would love to know what apartment you decided on as I am also looking at the two you were first thinking of.

Please report back after your trip and have a wonderful time.

samk
Question about the Paradiso. Was the street itself central to everything? e.g. are you technically in the CDF or PN?? Was the location relative to cafwes, restaurants and the market good?? Am leaning towards the Paradiso big and just looking for some validation!

Well, I juat looked at the Bramante and it is on the third floor with no lift. that means the FOURTH floor by our reckoning!! Four flights of stairs is a lot!! there are often very high flights just to get up one floor.

Sorry, I forgot my password and became Leely2 so no longer check my old threads.

Yes, we booked Bramante and yes, it's 4th American floor, although by my reckoning that means 3 flights of stairs. Regardless, the &quot;moms&quot; said they could handle it and we youngsters (um, in our 30s) definitely can, so we shall see. Three out of the four of us going have stayed in a third or fourth-floor Roman apartment without lift before so we sort of know what we're getting ourselves into. I'll post a review on this thread after our stay.

lbrawer, we also liked the look of Paradiso Big but the owners decided to stay there for the holiday season so we couldn't book it. Please do report on the apartment should you go with that one. I think the location would be fun especially if you have younger people in your party. By the way, I always bring earplugs to Rome with me just in case.

You can contact also Duke's Palace. An aristocratic Ducal Residenza 500's siecle at Piazza Navona. Large, enchanting drawing-room with frescoed ceilings.This Relais is an exclusive opportunity to stay in the heart of Rome.
Palazzo del Duca (50 meters from Navona Square, 50 meters from Campo dei Fiori, 200 meters from Pantheon.
I wish I could've stayed longer in this wonderful guesthouse
www.palazzodelduca.com

Lovertravel: The apartment looks interesting but there is no information on prices. What does it cost, if I may ask?